From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Steering and braking performance, focusing on pivot lean, axle twist, and steering wobbles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\2\ scan0046 | |
| Date | 12th July 1923 | |
| R.R. 493A (40 H) (SL 42 12-7-23). J.H., D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. 9940 REF: Hal/LG20.10.23. allowing the pivots to lean forward so that when the steering wheels were turned, the weight of the car thrown on the wheel would cause the steering to overrun. We know from experience that if we have less than 4° backward lean on the pivots, the steering is dangerous. Tests we have carried out in the shop by applying the front brakes and pulling the chassis, give us an indication of how much the springs and axle twist. There is no doubt that if we are going to take the torque of the braking to the front springs, we shall have to allow for considerable twist and therefore we shall have to have considerably more backward lean than at present. As we increase the amount of backward lean, so we shall increase the tendency for steering wobbles. This would mean that we should still further have to increase the friction in the steering to overcome these. From watching the effect of twisting which takes place when the brakes are applied, it would appear that rebound leaves above the top plate front springs, might be an improvement with regard to taking torque. During the tests on this car, although the equaliser was working, one brake was doing considerably more work than the other. This was proved by the difference in temperature of the drums. This is not unusual. It is a fact, of course, that these troubles would all be reduced if the front brakes were made less effective. contd:- | ||